Baseball: March 15-18 Round-up

Baseball fans: If you build it, they will come ... and of course, if they send it, we will print it. If your favorite team is missing details, tell the coach to send reports after each game to VivaLoudoun or help us out with your own details. Thanks!

Thursday, March 18
Baseball
Loudoun County 5, George Mason 4
The Skinny: The Raiders battled a stubborn George Mason team to a one-run victory in their season opener as Kris Pratt retired the final nine Mustangs in order and scored the go-ahead run in the fifth inning.

A fine defensive play by Henry Massey, a bullet to second to throw out a runner by Nick Fischer, and two scoreless innings by pitcher Nick Collins kept George Mason off the scoreboard leading into the bottom half of the second. Tyler Saleck, first time back to action since breaking an ankle in basketball, knocked a double off the fence setting up a Taylor Cokeley RBI single putting the Raiders up 1-0.

Mason picked up a run in the third to even the score at 1-1 as Ryan Wigfield worked out of a jam with runners on second and third with a big strikeout to end the inning. County jumped right back to go up 3-1 using Massey's lead off walk and stolen base, Saleck's second hit of the night, an RBI single to left scoring Massey, a walk to Nick Veschi, and an RBI single by Kris Pratt plating Bryan Huber, pinch running for Veschi.

Mason scrapped back to get three in the top of the fourth to take the lead 4-3. Not liking this being behind stuff, Nick Fischer promptly lined a single to LF followed by a sacrifice bunt by Kelly Drews moving JJ Levan (running for Fischer) to second. But County couldn't pick up the run and still trailed 4-3 after the fourth.

So, after Pratt 3-upped and 3-downed Mason in the top of the fifth, Veschi walked to lead off, but was forced at second with Saleck reaching on the fielder's choice. Pratt singled to left moving Saleck to 2nd. Then Cokeley ripped a 2-run double to the left field fence pushing both Saleck and Pratt across to put the Raiders up 5-4, a lead which they would not relinquish.

Pratt again got the side out in order in the top of the 6th and 7th to pick up the win. County returns to action next Tuesday for a 6 p.m. game at Heritage.

Jefferson WV 9, Freedom 2
The Skinny: Eagles fall to 0-2 in non-district play
Kettle Run 6, Briar Woods 1
The Skinny: Defensive miscues coasts Falcons in opener
Loudoun Valley 15, Yorktown 5 (5 innings)
The Skinny: Vikes bats boom in opener

Wednesday, March 17
Loudoun County at Stonewall Jackson PPD (moved to 4.7)
Herndon at Broad Run PPD (moved to 4.7)
Dominion 2, Washginton (WV) 1
The Skinny: Titans win in coach Rob Sikora's debut
Hylton 11, Freedom 0
The Skinny: Eagles shut out in coach Jason Treon's debut

Tuesday, March 16
Park View at Bishop O'Connell PPD (moved to 3.22 at Waters Field, Vienna)
Hylton at Freedom PPD (moved to 3.17)
Fairfax at Briar Woods PPD (moved to 4.7)
Dominion at Manassas Park PPD (moved to 3.24)

Monday, March 15
Baseball
Broad Run at George Mason PPD (make-up 4.24 at noon)
Hylton at Freedom PPD (moved. 3.16, 6 p.m.)
Dominion at Manassas Park PPD (moved to 3.16, 6 p.m.)